Feb 19, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. Metsäliitto will launch statutory labor negotiations on a temporary layoff of the personnel of its Wood Supply and Delivery organizations in Finland and enhancing the efficiency of operations in Northern Finland, the company said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. As a result of production curtailments caused by the weak market situation, there has also been a need to restrict the wood purchasing, reception and delivery volumes. The negotiations begin on February 24, and they apply to the entire personnel, totalling approximately 450 people. The planned measures mainly consist of laying off the entire personnel. As part of the negotiations, it is proposed that the number of supply districts in Northern Finland be reduced by combining some of the districts. The proposed measures may result in a permanent reduction of nine people. The aim is to carry out possible reductions with different assignment transfers and retirement arrangements, but redundancies are also possible. “The objective of the possible layoffs and staff reductions is to adjust the operations and costs to meet the decreased opportunities for delivery, reception and purchasing. The Group’s production units have already taken similar measures,” says Yrjö Perälä, Senior Vice President, Wood Supply, Finland.